Details on tickets, entrances and more for Crest, Shelby title games

RALEIGH — Along with the thrill of seeing their team get to play in a state championship football game, there’s also some basic planning for fans intending to go on the ‘trip to the ‘ship.’

Details for those making the excursion were announced to school/athletic officials at each of the 16 state finalists at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s state championship press conference at N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium on Monday.

There will be plenty of local fans attending either Shelby’s 11 a.m. contest in the 2A division Saturday at UNC’s Kenan Stadium against Southwest Onslow, as well as Crest supporters heading to Winston-Salem for the contest at 7 the same evening against Southern Durham in the 3AA class at Wake Forest’s BB&T Field.

Be aware that individual tickets are $9 in advance, $10 at the gate at both sites. Also, the parking fee at both locations will be $10 for cars, $15 for buses.

Advance tickets will be available at the Shelby High and Crest High offices this week.

Western region teams — which includes Shelby and Crest — will be home teams on the scoreboards. That means their backers will be seated on the main press box side at both locales.

Fans should enter the specific gates for their side of the stadium — on the South side for Shelby fans at the 2A contest, and at Gate 2 on the home side at the Crest 3AA engagement.

Gates open at 10 a.m. at UNC for the Shelby-Southwest Onslow contest. Entrance to the grandstands for the Crest-Southern Durham game will be allowed starting at 5:30 p.m.

The NCHSAA has strict regulations regarding the title contests. There are no pass-outs — if you leave the stadium, you must pay to re-enter.

Spectators are not allowed to bring coolers, thermos bottles or any outside food or drinks in the stadiums. All bags are subject to being searched.

Fans will not be allowed on the playing surface at either college field at any time. Regulations also are in force banning signs, flag poles/sticks, umbrellas, body paint, electronic noisemakers and air-horns.